Rule cutting device



June 21, 1966 v. L. HARDY 3,256,764

RULE CUTTING DEVICE Original Filed May 31, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fl c5-|/5 WW 1 s\ 2 M 2 4/ /4 Q 7 j Zf i r25 5 mm Qfi y FIG- 2 INVENTOR VINCENTL. HARDY BY MV/7% AGENT June 21, 1966 v. L. HARDY RULE CUTTING DEVICEOriginal Filed May 31, 19 62 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIC: 3

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Y D RQN m I T N l E mm/ A c a my v Y B United States Patent 3,256,764RULE CUTTING DEVICE Vincent L. Hardy, Stratford, Conn., assignor toUnited Aircraft Corporation, East Hartford, Conn., a corpora- .tion ofDelaware Original application May 31, 1962, Ser. No. 199,007, now PatentNo. 3,212,365, dated Oct. 10, 1965. Divided and this application July 2,1965, Ser. No. 469,274

- 8 Claims. (Cl. 83690) This invention relates to a device for cuttingsheet material into desired shapes. This application is a division ofapplication Serial No. 199,007, filed May 31, 1962, now Patent No.3,212,365, to Vincent L. Hardy.

An object of this invention is to provide a rule cutting die which canbe made without the precision cutting needed for its construction byknown 'abricating means using only wood supporting structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rule cutting die havingan extended life.

A :further object of this invention is to provide a rule cutting diewhich maintains its accuracy throughout its usage;

Another object of this invention is to provide a rigid rule cuttingdevice having a rule held within a supporting edge by hardened plastic.

Other objects and advantages will be observed from a reading of thespecification and the claims in connection, showing the cutting devicein section attached thereto.

FIGURE 2 is a view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG- URE 1 showing thebottom of the upper half of the cutting device and press.

FIGURE 3 is a side view similar to FIGURE 1 through a press showinganother modification of the cutting device.

FIGURE 4 is a side view showing another modification of the upper'halfof the cutting device.

' Referring to :FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the upper portion of rulecutting die 10 of the cutting device is fixed to the upper plate $12 ofa press which is movable by the arm I14. Arm I14 lowers and raises theupper portion 10 a predetermined distance to place it in a desiredposition with relation to a base plate 2 of the press.

The upper portion of the cutting device is fabricated by bending a metalrule 16 to a desired outline and Welding it to a rigid metal backingplate '18. For some applications the rule is held in place on thebacking plate during fiabrication. This unit is placed on a flat surfaceand surrounded by :a supporting fence, or retaining edge member, '20.This fence 20 does not come in contact with the rule 16 or backing plate18. The height of the fence or retaining edge member 20 is less than thecombined height of the thickness of the backing 1 plate 1 8 and heightof the rule 416 to prevent any interference between the edge of thefence 20 and either the workpiece or any part of the base plate 2 of thepress.

When the two parts have been properly positioned, a. hardening plastic24 is poured in the space between the two parts. The hardening plasticis poured to a height which is approximately equal to the height of thefence :20. The interior of the rule 16 is also filled to the same heightwith the hardening plastic 24. When the plastic has hardened, thefabricated upper portion is loosened from the fiat surface. The fence 20is fixed to the upper plate 12 of the movable press by bolts '22 whichhave their heads recessed into the fence within a small countersunkhole.

Patented June 21, 1966 In FIGURE 1, a male mating member 2 6 is iixed tothe top of the base plate 2 of the press. This male mating member 26 isshaped to just tit within the desired outline of the rule 16. The malemating member can be formed by securing a plate to the base plate 2 ofits press by suitable ineans, such as a tape having adhesive on bothsides, and by being punched out by the upper portion 10 of the cuttingdevice. The excess material can then be pried from the base plate 2leaving the male mating member. When cutting soft materials, such asrubber, tabric, cork, asbestos and similar materials, the male matingmember may be omitted. For blanking aluminum and material of similarstrength, the member is used.

A stripper 28 can be used around the outer edge of the male matingmember 26 to aid in picking up the remaining part of the work sheet. Astripper 27 is used Within the area defined by the rule. This.facilitates the removal of die lforme'd pieces. The stripper can beformed by the upper portion of the cutting device. The material of thestripper can be cork, rubber or any other like material. The stripperextends for a small distance above the edge of the rule. Holes can becut in the stripper to facilitate the mating of the mating parts of thepress. In large dies, small blocks 27a of stripper material may be fixedabout the surface.

FIGURE 3 is similar to FIGURE 1 with the exception being that a punch'30 is used within the rule 16a. The rule 16a is bent to a desiredoutline and welded to a rigid metal backing plate 18a. This backingplate has an opening 32 which serves to position the punch 30. The punch30 has an annular flange 34 which tits into the opening 32. The punchcan also be further positioned for accuracy by the use of a metal insert3 6 which has been cut to snugly fit the interior of rule 16a and thepunch 30. 'A hole 38 is provided in the insert 36 to permit the plastic24a to run into the space under the insert 36. The plastic is filled upto a point where the punch '30 is necked down to the desired diameter ofthe part to be punched.

It can be seen that if the punch '30 breaks, the remaining portion canbe knocked out of the back after the upper portion of the cutting devicehas been removed from the upper plate I1 2a of the press. A new punch 30can then be inserted and the upper portion 10a of the cutting devicereaflixed in place on the upper plate 12a of the press.

The base plate 2a has a hole '40 therein into which the punched-out partof the work sheet drops. Wider openings 42 and 44 connect the bottom ofhole 40 to the bottom of the base plate 2a so that the punched-out partscan drop through the base plate.

On the base plate 2a of the press, it is noted that two male matingmembers 126a and 26b are shown. This can be done to vary the height ofthe male mating portion. Also, when cutting steel and titanium, a morerigid male mating member is desired.

In FIGURE 4, the upper portion of the cutting device is fabricated bybending it to a desired shape and placing an inner solid member 51 whichmates with the inner portion of the rule and placing an outer solidportion 52 around the rule which mates with the outer portion of therule. The members 51 and 52 are of such a height which permits thecutting edge of the rule to project. A portion is cut from the outermember 52 immediately adjacent the rule forits entire peripheryproviding a trough 54 around the rule. Supporting members' 46 are placedbetween a supporting pointin the trough of the outer member and the ruleto accurately position the cutting edge of the rule. contour isobtained, plastic is poured for the entire depth When the exact 3 of thetrough. A punch 30b is shown as similar to the punch in FIGURE 3. Aplate 50 is shown backing up the upper portion b of the cutting device.This-plate 50 can be used if there are cutouts or openings in thesurface of the upper plate of the press.

The upper portion of the cutting device .can be for-med of only abacking plate 18, rule 16 and plastic 24- as shown in FIGURE 1. Thebacking plate 18 would be fixed to the upper plate 12 of the press. Thistype of upper portion would be used Where rigid outer support of therule is not needed.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the figuresherein shown and described, but may be used in other ways withoutdeparture from its spirit as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A rule cutting device comprising a cutting :rule with a cutting edgehaving a predetermined contour, said rule being fixedly attached to aplate with said cutting edge extending away therefrom, said plateextending across the enclosed area at the end of said rule away from thecutting edge with a portion projecting out-- wardly from the rule, afence located around the edge of said plate and having its lower edge ona plane with the bottom of said plate, said fence extending from thebottom of said plate to a point short of the cutting edge of the cuttingrule fixed to said plate, and a hardened plastic material locatedbetween the inner surface of said fence and the outer side of said ruleand the portion of the plate projecting outwardly from the rule, saidhardened plastic material being fixed to said fence, rule and platewhere it contacts therein.

2. A rule cutting device comprising a cutting rule with a cutting edgehaving a predetermined contour, said rule being fixedly attached to aplate with said cutting edge extending away therefrom, said plateextending across the enclosed area at the end of said rule away from thecutting edge with a portion projecting outwardly from the rule, a fencelocated around the edge of said plate and having its lower edge on aplane with the bottom of said plate, said fence extending from thebottom of said plate to a point short of the cutting edge of the cuttingrule fixed to said plate, and a hardened plastic material locatedbetween the inner surface of said fence and the outer side of said ruleand the portion of the plate projecting outwardly from the rule, saidhardened plastic material being fixed to said fence, rule and platewhere it contacts therein, and a hardened plastic material locatedwithin said rule.

3. A rule cutting device comprising a cutting rule with a cutting edgehaving a predetermined contour, said rule being fixedly attached to aplate with said cutting edge extending away therefrom, said plateextending across the enclosed area at the end of said rule away from thecutting edge with a portion projecting outwardly from the rule, a fencelocated around the edge of said plate and having its lower edge on aplane with the bottom of said plate, said fence extending from thebottom of said plate to a point short of the cutting edge of the cuttingrule fixed to said plate, a hardened plastic material located betweenthe inner surface of said fence and the outer side of said rule and theportion of the plate projecting outwardly from the rule, said hardenedplastic material being fixed to said fence, rule and plate where itcontacts therein, said plate having a hole therethrough, said holeopening into the area surrounded by said cutting rule, a punch memberhaving a base end and cutting end, said punch member having its base endpositioned in said hole, said punch member extending for a lengthplacing its cutting end in a plane with the cutting edge of said cuttingrule, and a hardened plastic material located within said rule aroundsaid punch member.

4. A rule cutting device comprising a cutting rule to one side of saidplate with said cutting edge extending away therefrom, said plateextending across the enclosed area at the end of said rule away from thecutting edge with a portion projecting outwardly from the rule, a fencelocated around the edge of said plate and having its lower edge on aplane with the bottom of said plate, said fence extending from thebottom of said plate to a point short of the cutting edge of the cuttingrule fixed to said plate, a hardened plastic material located betweenthe inner surface of said fence and the outer side of said rule and theportion of the plate projecting outwardly from the rule, said hardenedplastic material being fixed to said fence, rule and plate where itcontacts therein, said plate having a hole therethrough, said holeopening into the area surrounded by said cutting rule, a punch memberhaving a base end and cutting end, said punch member having its base endpositioned in said hole, said punch member extending for a lengthplacing its cutting end in a plane with the cutting edge of said cuttingrule, and a hardened plastic material located within said rule aroundsaid punch member, said base end of said punch member being larger thansaid cutting end so that it can only be moved in a direction towards theother side of said plate from said rule.

5. A rule cutting device comprising a cutting rule with a cutting edgehaving a predetermined contour, said rule being fixedly attached to aplate with said cutting edge extending away therefrom, said plateextending across the enclosed area at the end of said rule away from thecutting edge with a portion projecting outwardly from the rule, a fencelocated around the edge of said plate and having its lower edge on aplane with the bottom of said plate, said fence extending from thebottom of said plate to a point short of the cutting edge of the cuttingrule fixed to said plate, a hardened plastic material located betweenthe inner surface of said fence and the outer side of said rule and theportion of the plate projecting outwardly from the rule, said hardenedplastic material being fixed to said fence, rule and plate where itcontacts therein, said plate having a hole therethrough, said holeopening into the area surrounded by said cutting rule, a punch memberhaving a base end and cutting end, said punch member having its base endpositioned in said hole, said punch member extending for a lengthplacing its cutting end in a plane with the cutting edge of said cuttingrule, means spaced from said plate and extending to said punch forpositioning said punch outwardly from said plate, and a hardened plasticmaterial located Within said rule and on both sides of said means.

6. A rule cutting device comprising a cutting rule with a cutting edgehaving a predetermined contour, said rule being fixedly attached to aplatewith said cutting edge extending away therefrom, said plateextending across the enclosed area at the end of said rule away from thecutting edge with a portion projecting outwardly from the rule, a fencelocated around the edge of said plate and having its lower edge on aplane with the bottom of said plate, said fence extending from thebottom of said plate to a point short of the cutting edge of thecuttingrule fixed to said plate, a hardened plastic material locatedbetween the inner surface of said fence and the outer side of said ruleand the portion of the plate projecting outwardly from the rule,said'hardened plastic material being fixed to said fence, rule and platewhere it contacts therein, said plate having a hole therethrough, saidhole opening into the area surrounded by said cutting rule, a punchmember having a base end and cutting end, said punch member having itsbase end positioned in said hole, said punch member extending for alength placing its cutting end in a plane with the cutting edge of saidcutting rule, a second plate fitted snugly within said cutting rule andaround said punch for positioning said punch, and a hardened plasticmaterial located within said rule and on both sides of said secondplate.

7. A rule cutting device comprising a cutting rule with a cutting edgehaving a predetermined contour, said rule being fixedly attached to aplate with said cutting edge extending away therefrom, said plateextending across the enclosed area at the end of said rule away from thecutting edge with a portion projecting outwardly from the rule, a fencelocated around the edge of said plate and having its lower edge on aplane With the bottom of said plate, said fence extending from thebottom of said plate to a point short of the cutting edge of the cuttingrule fixed to said plate, a hardened plastic material located betweenthe inner surface of said fence and the outer side of said rule and theportion of the plate projecting outwardly from the rule, said hardenedplastic material being fixed to said fence, rule and plate where itcontacts therein, said plate having a hole therethrough, said holeopening into the area surrounded by said cutting rule, a punch memberhaving a base end and smaller cutting end, said punch member having itsbase end positioned in said hole, said punch member extending for alength placing its cutting end in a plane with the cutting edge of saidcutting rule, means axially spaced from said plate along said punchmember for positioning said punch against angular movement with respectto said plate, and a hardened plastic material located within said rulefor preventing the axial movement of said punch member in a directionoutwardly therefrom.

8. A rule cutting device comprising a cutting rule with a cutting edgehaving a predetermined contour, an inner solid member located within therule and extending from the bottom of the rule to a point adjacent thecutting edge, an outer solid member located outside of said rule andextending from the bottom of the rule to a point adjacent the cuttingedge, a groove located in said outer solid member adjacent the outerperiphery of the cutting rule on the side nearest the cutting edge,supporting members each placed between a supporting point in said grooveand the cutting rule to maintain it firmly against the inner solidmember, a hardened plastic material filling said groove to fix saidsupporting members and said cutting rule in place, said hardened plasticmaterial being fixed to said cutting rule, outer solid member, andsupporting members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,046,815 7/1962Moe 76-107 3,108,327 10/1963 Phillips et a1. 76-107 3,119,312 1/1964Hinc 83347 X 3,166,968 1/1965 Krouskop 83-681 OTHER REFERENCESCerromatrix Manual, publication of Cerro de Pasco Copper Corp.(copyright 1939), pp. 20-21.

ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner. WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Examiner.

L. B. TAYLOR, Assistant Examiner.

1. A RULE CUTTING DEVICE COMPRISING A CUTTING RULE EITH A CUTTING EDGEHAVING A PREDETERMINED CONTOUR, SAID RULE BEING FIXEDLY ATTACHED TO APLATE WITH SAID CUTTING EDGE EXTENDING AWAY THEREFROM, SAID PLATEEXTENDING ACROSS THE ENCLOSED AREA AT THE END OF SAID RULE AWAY FROM THECUTTING EDGE WITH A PORTION PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM THE RULE, A FENCELOCATED AROUND THE EDGE OF SAID PLATE AND HAVING ITS LOWER EDGE ON APLANE WITH THE BOTTOM OF SAID PLATE, SAID FENCE EXTENDING FROM THEBOTTOM OF SAID PLATE TO A POINT SHORT OF THE CUTTING EDGE OF THE CUTTINGRULE FIXED TO SAID PLATE, AND A HARDENED PLASTIC MATERIAL LOCATEDBETWEEN THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID FENCE AND THE OUTER SIDE OF SAID RULEAND THE PORTION OF THE PLATE PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM THE RULE, SAIDHARDENED PLASTIC MATERIAL BEING FIXED TO SAID FENCE, RULE AND PLATEWHERE IT CONTACTS THEREIN.